Hair Product/styling Question

Updated on August 22, 2011
C.B. asks from Oskaloosa, KS
12 answers

Hiya mamas, just a quick question for this morning. i was having a conversation with my stylist the other day that got me thinking. i have naturally very wavy hair, and it tends to be really REALLY dry and fizzy. i am not an expert by any means, and i was not raised a "girlie girl" taking good care of my hair or makeup or anything like that, so i am learning as i go. also i am very cheap :) but i am getting better! i used to use Suave shampoo and conditioner, but it makes my hair SO dry. i finally stepped up to Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine, and it has made all the difference. i have a good cut now, and using that stuff, i straighten my hair and don't have to do another thing to it. i don't like a lot of product either, maybe a little hairspray to hold down the flyaways.

so i was talking to my stylist about these things, and she said that there is a ton of oil in garnier shampoos and conditioners, in fact mostly every brand at walmart or those places. (basically she was trying to talk me into buying a salon shampoo/conditioner, which i knew full well, but i had told her up front i couldn't afford it right now - with my son breaking his arm last week, AND having to buy a new tire the other day, i literally was scraping dollars together to get a haircut). she said if i had to buy at walmart, my best bet probably WOULD be suave, because it has more water content and is ph balanced, so it would not damage my hair. (i think that's what she was saying.)

OKAY. but if i have naturally dry, brittle hair that breaks easily, wouldn't i WANT a more moisturizing shampoo? i mean, it doesn't get oily, before i wash it again. i'm just thinking, she basically was trying to talk me OUT of buying the regular shampoos, BUT, her reasoning to me didn't add up. my hair is dry. it looks like BUTT without a ton of either leave-in conditioner, shine serum, etc, UNLESS i use these shampoos/conditioners that she was telling me not to use. i hope this is making sense. can anyone tell me why i actually shouldn't use those brands? because to me it seems like i've hit on the formula for great hair. am i missing something?? thanks everyone!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.J.

answers from Milwaukee on

Try HAIR ONE at Sally Beauty Suppy. It's about $12.00 and is very similar to Wen Hair Care (you know, that infomercial.) We have the same hair type and I have had great luck with it. Give it a try.

Btw, I'm super cheap/broke too and add some extra water into the bottle after I use some. It makes it easier to pump the bottle as the product gets used. :)

3 moms found this helpful

More Answers

K.M.

answers from Chicago on

Ok, try Hair One from Sally Beauty Supply it's like 10 bucks, have questions PM me (I use a simmilar product) and before you flat iron USE A HEAT PROTECTANT ... Got 2b is a great product, inexpensive and you can often find it places as buy one get one 50%off or free. Your dry and brittle is worse due to the heat styling and not using a protectant.

3 moms found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

Everyone's hair responds differently to products. What works for one may really be damaging to another.

Personally, I will not use things like VO5, Suave, etc because once I spilled some on my shower floor and I was amazed at how clean it got the shower floor. At that point, I wondered what is it doing to my hair!

I do buy them... for the purpose of cleaning my shower.

You can also get good deals on salon brands if you know where to shop. Ulta, JC Penney (often has a 2 for 1 sale), etc.

Best wishes and just use what works for you!!

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.K.

answers from Kansas City on

I have no idea what she is talking about!! But I just wanted to tell you that your hair sounds a lot like mine, and I have been buying Infusium shampoo and conditioner at Walmart or the grocery store for years. It is more expensive than Suave but lots cheaper than salon prices. My mom is a hair stylist and she got me hooked on it because I don't like to pay a lot for my shampoo either. Just thought I'd tell you that. and ps, I tried Suave, and I hate it, it dries out my hair terribly.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

If your hair is dry and is doing well with the Fructis then you need to stay with it. I have very dry hair too and used Pantene for dry hair for years then it broke me out in a rash. I switched to Finess and it actually makes my hair oily after 2 days. So I am stuck washing it every other day or every day. I would recommend you stay with what works for you. You know she was trying to mess with your head and make you feel like you didn't know what you were doing so you'd go back to her for more advice and she'd eventually get you sucked in.

I have wavy hair and if I keep it in layers I can make it look a bit curlier and more modern. I use Aphogee Gloss Therapy that I get at Sally's. I use VERY LITTLE of it. Less than a dime size dollop. More like 5-8 drops. I rub my hands together and scrunch it into my hair, close to the ends. Then I put a little bit of Pantene Mousse in. I put the stuff close to the ends and not at all on the scalp. I have pretty hair and it is not stiff or dirty looking. It moves in the breeze and is soft to the touch.

In your case always use heat activated hair styling products when you are going to blow dry and iron. It will protect your hair shaft more.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.J.

answers from Seattle on

Some stylists are better with curly hair than others. Curly/ wavy hair usually NEEDS oils.

I have ringlet curly hair. White-girl-curls. It takes apx 7-10 DAYS for my hair to even START getting oily at the roots, and that's if I'm not brushing it (I blow mine out straight as well). If I'm brushing it daily, I can go 2-3 WEEKS before my hair gets oily. Meanwhile people with straight hair tend to start getting oily on day 1 or 2.

Because I have W-G-C I can wash my hair every day and it won't get all nappy (it can and does get nappy, it's just that washing it doesn't matter). In fact, if i'm "going curly" I HAVE to wash it daily or I start getting dreadlocks on day 2. If I'm going straight I usually wash it twice a week. Keeps it shiny, sproingy, lively. My black friends, however CANNOT wash their hair every day or it just starts to shred in their hands, and even twice a week can make their hair super nappy.

At girls' nights we've dished many, MANY times on the "stupid" things people have said about our hair, because they just DON'T get curls. White girl or ethnic. The hair texture is just different, and requires different things. Even between us, white girl, mixed, or black, we have to do different things to it. Don't even get me STARTED on how snarky I get having to miss out on 'perm parties'. Stars above I would rather get together with my friends once a month and relax my hair, than spend buku bucks at a salon. Sniff.

If you've found what works on YOUR hair, have at girlfriend! Keep it up. And snicker quietly up your sleeve when people tell you to do what destroys your hair. They mean well, they're just clueless.

1 mom found this helpful

C.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I used to use garnier and it totally dried up my hair. Then I switched to Dove and I do like it and used it for years, but then decided to try something else for fun. I have been using suave professionals for a few months now and I LOVE it. It works so good and smells great and makes my hair so soft and shiny and smooth. I love it. I also have slightly wavy hair and I am terrible with upkeeping it.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.S.

answers from Washington DC on

Use what works for you. If you are happy with the results you're getting with the product you're using, why would you change? It would be one thing if you were COMPLAINING about something about your hair and she told you to change shampoos, but you LIKE your hair and your products.

Keep on keepin on :)

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from St. Louis on

use what works for you....you are the only one who can achieve your goals - even if it's just your hair!

She may have told you to buy Suave to put you in a position where you have to buy her "better" stuff to repair your hair.....unkind & mean to say, but? Why else would she steer you toward something you don't like? !! Good Luck.

1 mom found this helpful

L.B.

answers from Biloxi on

You know, if you like the way your hair is looking with products that you are using, don't switch. If your hair is not splitting, frizzing, and looks and feels healthy, then the product is working for you.

I also have wavy/curly hair, and blow dry and flat iron. The only thing I add to my hair regimen is a hair oil that I rub through pre-flat ironing to "cushion" the hair from the extra heat. And on weekends I let it soak longer in conditioner and don't blow dry to give it a rest.

Happy styling!!!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.J.

answers from Seattle on

I really do like salon shampoos the best, but I read about a cheap product lately and have been using it for two weeks, and it really does keep NY hair frizz free for three days! It's garnier fructis style pure clean smoothing cream, less than $5 and it really works!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.W.

answers from Kansas City on

My hair has some natural curl, and is also very dry (mostly from overprocessing-I LOVE to color my hair lol) and I am always looking for new and better products/ways to get it looking better. I read online the other day about doing a deep conditioning with olive oil! I tried it this weekend and noticed a difference. You just slather some olive oil on the ends (driest place) of your hair, put it in a shower cap or wrap it in plastice wrap. Then blow dry a liitle to get some heat in and open the hair shaft. Keep it in for at least 30 min, the blogger said she kept hers in for 2 hours; I did about 1-2 hours I think. It really helped! My hair felt so much better after I did it. I also read another place to add 1tsp honey. I S. the ladies that said to use a heat protectant if you are using a straighting iron or blow drying it, that can totally dry out your hair. I also have good luck with finding my absolute favorite shampoo for dry/damaged hair (Kpak by Joico) at JcPenny's on sale a lot espeically during the holiday season. I stocked up last year because they had regular size bottles in a gift bag with a sample size deep conditioner for only $20! Good luck! HTH

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions